After taking off into brilliant skies at Paine Field in Everett, Wash., the 777-300 flew north to the San Juan Islands; west through the Strait of Juan de Fuca -- passing the snow-frosted Olympic Mountains -- and out over the Pacific Ocean. The 777 wing uses the most aerodynamically efficient airfoil ever developed for subsonic commercial aviation. This advanced wing enhances the airplane's ability to climb quickly and cruise at higher altitudes than competing airplanes while achieving higher cruise speeds. It also allows the airplane to carry full passenger payloads out of many high-elevation, high-temperature airfields.